Arlen's first stop in Lake Selis was the local Adventurer's Guild, a grand building overlooking the water. Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with activity as parties returned from quests, merchants bartered over monster trophies, and guild officials processed paperwork.
At the registration desk, Arlen updated his profile to reflect his new magical abilities: intermediate magic and water manipulation. He made sure to keep his shadow magic off the record, listing only skills that wouldn't raise suspicion. The guild clerk, noting his recent graduation from advanced classes and his enrollment at Azure Wave Academy, nodded approvingly.
"You're on the path to advancement," the clerk said. "Graduates from the academy almost always prove their worth and move up in rank after their final assessment. The instructors here are strict, but their students are some of the best."
With a few days before classes began, Arlen took on a series of local jobs: helping fishermen defend against aquatic beasts, gathering rare herbs along the lakeshore, and escorting a merchant vessel across the water. Each quest let him acclimate to the new environment, build local connections, and quietly refine his skills.
Arlen's reputation grew, and he found himself welcomed among both adventurers and townsfolk. With his place secured at the guild and academy, and the promise of a rank increase upon graduation, Arlen felt more prepared than ever for the challenges—and opportunities—that awaited him at Lake Selis.